Impact of Massage Therapy on the Quality of Life of Hospice Patients and Their Caregivers: A Pilot Study. Issue 1 (January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Havyer, Rachel D.; Lapid, Maria I.; Dockter, Travis J.; McCue, Shaylene A.; Stelpflug, Amy J.; Bigelow, Maureen L.; Robsahm, Mary Meg; Elwood, Theresa; Strand, Jacob J.; Bauer, Brent A.; Cutshall, Susanne M.; Sloan, Jeff A.; Walton, Monica P.; Whitford, Kevin J.
• Is Part Of: Journal of palliative care. Volume 37:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 41
• Page End: 47
• Publication Date: 2022-01
• Subjects: massage therapy -- hospice -- palliative care -- family caregivers -- integrative medicine; Terminal care -- Periodicals; 362.17505
• DOI: 10.1177/0825859720975991
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0825-8597

Abstract

Evidence for massage therapy (MT) in hospice patients remains limited. We conducted a prospective pilot study on MTs impact on quality of life of hospice patients and caregivers. Patient-caregiver dyads were enrolled if patients scored ≥5 on pain, depression, anxiety, or well-being using the revised Edmonton Symptom Assessment System Revised (ESAS-r). The patient received MT weekly for up to 3 massages with assessments completed at baseline, after each massage, and 1 week after the final massage for patients and at baseline and 1 week after final massage for caregivers. A satisfaction survey was completed at study completion. A pro-rated area under the curve (AUC) was utilized to assess the primary endpoints of change in ESAS-r for patient ratings of pain, depression and anxiety as well as the Linear Analogue Self-Assessment (LASA). Median difference scores (end of study value)-(baseline value) for each participant and caregiver were calculated. Of 27 patients and caregivers enrolled, 25 patients received MT. Fifteen patients completed all 3 MT sessions and were given the final symptom assessment and satisfaction survey and their caregivers completed final assessments. The proportion of patients considered success (AUC > baseline) in the primary endpoints were the following: pain 40.9%, depression 40.9%, anxiety 54.5%, LASA 54.5%. Median difference scores were largely zero indicating no significant temporal change in symptoms. Patients were highly satisfied with MT. This pilot study indicated that MT was a feasible and well-received intervention in our population of patients with inadequately controlled symptoms.